Top Sports Photos

But not this year. Three days before camp, ESPN's John Clayton reported that Russell was about to be cut, and would likely not even participate in mini-camp because of injury risk.

And as of Thursday Jerry McDonald notes in the Oakland Trib that Russell is at the team facility and working out.

Celebrity Dodgers Fans

It appears the big guy with the checkbook may have had a change of heart about Russell, and NFL Fanhouse's Nancy Gayspoke to a few anonymous Raiders front office types. "Things change by the minute here," Ms Gay's sources said, "Don't know anymore."

It can't help Russell when rumors circulate that he now weighs 300 pounds. We'll know more about that if he really does practice at mini-camp, in full view of media and cameras.

The 2010 Laker Girls

And if someone secretly sends a dozen free pizzas to Russell's apartment the night before practice, suspect Jason Campbell.

Joe Kukura is a freelance writer who doesn't know what he will do without JaMarcus Russell to crack jokes about.